In the early 17th century, amidst the turbulent witch trials that swept through Scotland, Margaret Dicksoun, a resident of Kailzie in the Traquair parish of Peebles, found herself caught up in the societal upheaval of the time. On the 11th of June, 1629, Margaret was named alongside 26 others in a witchcraft case, a stark illustration of the widespread fear and suspicion that gripped the nation during this period. The specifics of her alleged involvement in witchcraft, however, remain shrouded in mystery, as the historical records offer little illumination beyond her unfortunate inclusion in the extensive roster of the accused.
The trial proceedings, catalogued under a separate record, provide no additional details about Margaret's case, leaving a gap in the narrative that many historical accounts of accused witches share. This lack of information could suggest a variety of outcomes, from the potential for an inconclusive trial to possible sentencing that went undocumented. Nevertheless, the absence of further details about Margaret's fate reflects the often incomplete and sporadic nature of historical documentation from the witch trials, a reminder of the many lives impacted during this fraught epoch. The scant records we have highlight both the pervasive fear of witchcraft at the time and the limitations historians face in piecing together these personal histories.